Guide to Global Entry: Application and Interview Process

We both have Global Entry and love it. Global Entry has shortened our time at US passport control and has also made us eligible for TSA PreCheck. We would recommend Global Entry for anyone that travels internationally – even a couple of times a year. If you are thinking of applying for Global Entry, read on for our Guide to the the Global Entry Application and Interview Process.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry allows travelers to enter the US more quickly. Instead of waiting in a long line to see a border control agent, you answer a few questions at a kiosk, scan your fingerprints, show your receipt to an agent and exit the passport control area.

“Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.”

Global Entry Includes TSA Pre-Check

Although TSA Pre-Check is completely different than Global Entry, one of the benefits of obtaining Global Entry is being able to qualify for TSA Pre-Check on domestic and international flights.

If you qualify for TSA Pre-Check on a flight, you are allowed to go through security without removing your shoes, belt, light outerwear, laptop and bag with liquids. There is often a separate TSA Pre-Check line that is usually faster. You will know if you are eligible for TSA Pre-Check as it will be printed on your boarding pass near your name. Please note: TSA Pre✓ is only available when flying on certain airlines – the current list of airlines can be found on the TSA’s website.

The cost of Global Entry is a $100 non-refundable application fee (the fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied). Global Entry isvalid for 5 years from your birthday. After 5 years you will have to reapply and pay another $100 application fee. (Tip: There are a couple of ways to get Global Entry for free if you have certain credit cards or elite status – see related post: How to Get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry For Free).

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of a few other countries (citizens of Argentina, United Kingdom, Colombia, Germany, India, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Mexican nationals) are eligible for Global Entry membership. Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program. Here is a link to the current Global Entry eligibility requirements.

Global Entry Application Process

There are 2 steps to the Global Entry application process:
1) Complete an application online, and
2) Complete an in person interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at an enrollment center

In order to apply for Global Entry, the first step is to create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account at https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/ and complete an application online. (The Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website replaced the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) on October 1, 2017 so if you see references to GOES it refers to the older version of the website.)

You will have to pay the $100 Global Entry application fee at this time.

Following is the list of questions asked in the online application for Global Entry:

Travel history (list any countries other than the US, Canada and Mexico traveled to within the past 5 years)

Additional information:
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense in the United States or any other country?
Have you ever received a waiver of inadmissibility to the U.S. from a U.S. government agency?
Have you ever been found in violation of customs laws?
Have you ever been found in violation of immigration laws?

Scheduling the Global Entry Interview

Once your application is reviewed and conditionally approved, you will received an email stating there is a message in your Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account. ( It took about 2-3 weeks for Patti’s application to be reviewed but Matilda’s took only about a week.) The message instructs you to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers within 30 days. After logging in, we were able to print off a letter with the conditional approval and schedule an appointment for an interview online.

Interviews are available at various enrollment centers at major airports and borders. Availability for interviews varies by enrollment center-Chicago O’Hare did not have any appointments for 2 months but if you keep logging in you can frequently find an earlier opening if someone has cancelled. If you need to change your interview you are able to reschedule interviews online as well. However according to the website, any changes within 24 hours of the appointment must be done by contacting the enrollment center directly.

On July 7, 2017, CBP announced a new option to schedule your interview faster: Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival which allows conditionally-approved Global Entry applicants to complete their interview while clearing CBP processing. Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival is currently only available at select airports but will be available at more airports soon.

Global Entry Interview Process

According to the letter, the following documents should be brought to the interview:

A copy of the Conditional Approval Notification (which the officer did not ask to see)

The enrollment office at Chicago O’Hare was easy to find. It is located at Terminal 5, Lower Level right next to McDonald’s. Because it was at arrivals, we did not have to go through security. Upon entering the door there is a waiting room with a few seats and an officer behind a glass pane. We presented our passports and were asked to wait.

There were not a lot of seats in the waiting area and it actually became pretty full. The officers were very laid back about calling people in for the interviews. They just came out and asked who was next instead of calling people by name. We were allowed to go in together but took turns getting interviewed by the same officer.

Global Entry Interview Questions

After looking at the documents we were asked to bring along (passport and license) and comparing the information to the application, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer asked us a bunch of questions including the following:

Have you ever been arrested?

Have you ever transported something where the contents were unknown?

Have you ever repudiated American citizenship?

Do you have a second passport or claim to citizenship in another country?

Have you ever broken customs or immigration laws?

Are you a US resident?

After answering his questions, we were approved and he took our photos and finger prints. He advised us that the number in our letter is our known traveler number which we could use immediately to qualify for TSA Pre-Check. All we needed to do was log into our frequent flyer account and put in the number in the known traveler number box. He also said we would receive a card that can be used to enter the US if driving from Canada or Mexico which we received 10 days after our interview.

Our Experience Using Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check

Since receiving Global Entry we have used it twice upon entering the US at Chicago O’Hare and both times we breezed through passport control. We did not have to fill out the customs forms given to us on the plane nor wait in line at passport control. Instead, we proceeded to a Global Entry kiosk which took our photo and fingerprints. After answering a few questions at the kiosk, a piece of paper is printed which you take to an officer for review and you are set.

We have also used TSA Pre-Check and it was much easier not have to remove our shoes and jackets. Although we have read online reports of TSA Pre-Check lines sometimes being longer than the regular lines, we found the TSA Pre-Check lines to be shorter.

Is Global Entry Worth It?

Whether the $100 fee and time spent applying for Global Entry is worth it, depends on how often you travel and how much you value the convenience of expedited entry at passport control and expedited security. We found Global Entry worth the time and expense. The only negative is that you are paying for a convenience that is sometimes given to travelers for free. For example, when we entered the US with someone that did not have Global Entry, he was able to use a kiosk and get through passport control quickly as well. These were different kiosks than the Global Entry kiosks but apparently almost as fast.

Please note that Global Entry benefits are also part of NEXUS and SENTRI, two other trusted traveler programs similar to Global Entry. For some people, applying for NEXUS or SENTRI in order to get Global Entry and TSA Pre might make more sense than applying for Global Entry. (See related post:How to Get TSA PreCheck: A Guide on How Best to Apply).

Has anyone else applied for Global Entry? Let us know your experience with the Global Entry interview and application process in the comments below.
—Like this article? Save it to your Pinterest boards:

Originally published on Apr 22, 2014 but updated to reflect that the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website replaced the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) on October 1, 2017.

106 Comments

This is something I would definitely invest in – haven’t applied for it yet, but to me it’s well worth the investment. Even if there are some days where other travelers pass through just as quickly as well!

Yes. Expungement of an arrest entitles you to tell a prospective employer “I have never been arrested.” But that entitlement does not extend to the government. If you say you’ve never been arrested to the government, and you have an expunged arrest, you are guilty of the felony of lying to a government official.

The agent told me you are allowed one misdemeanor more than ten years old. I disclosed one I had that was 30 yrs old and was approved. If you have two misdemeanors or had one within ten years you will be rejected.

Hi, great stuff! Do you have idea when was the most furthest date for an appt was available? I’m not planning on being in the states til June. But I also know that you have to schedule an appt within 30 days of application. Thanks so much, great report!

You should also mention that if you go to Canada a lot, or live near a land crossing with Canada, you can apply for Nexus which will include Global Entry and PreCheck. Nexus allows the same process when entering Canada, and it only costs $50.

Can you tell me how long it took after your interview to find out if you were approved or denied? Do you know immediately? Our travel date is exactly one month after our interview date. We are worried we will not have cards or documentation of our approval in time.

We were approved during the interview and were able to start using Global Entry and TSA precheck right away. The interview is more of a formality-you are already conditionally approved before the interview.

Hi Katie,
Global Entry lasts five years so after that you have to reapply and pay another fee. So it is $100 for every 5 years. If you can be in or near Canada though you can get the same benefits with Nexis for $50. There are also credit cards that reimburse you for the fee.

I just applied two weeks ago. I did the math. Even if you only travel twice a year (which is what I have been averaging), it comes out to $5 each way of a round-trip flight. Baggage check costs more than that. The coffee I end up buying is more than that, so I think it’s definitely worth the money.

Now I am just anxiously awaiting the completion of the background check. I am going to the Caribbean in two weeks, so I’m really hoping everything is set by then.

Usually I take the train to O’Hare but I believe the best place to park would be the lot for International Arrivals. That is the lot people use when waiting to pick up their loved ones. It is close to the office.

I have dual citizenship (a US passport and an Irish passport), and always wondered if that would be an issue. Interesting that they asked that very question. Any idea if it would automatically disqualify someone?

I have an interview scheduled for early June. However, I cannot find the Conditional Approval Notification letter on the website. The FAQs on their site says to go to the Home Page and print the letter. The home page just has a link to manage the interview appointment. Where is this letter?

I am going to apply for Global Entry in the next few days. My husband has it and I am traveling more and more internationally with him and he kindly waits in the “regular” line with me. It’s time! We don’t have an interview center where we live. The closest is Charlotte (4hrs away). But I travel to Chicago often to see my family. Am I better off scheduling an interview on one of my arrivals to ORD, or is it ok to schedule in Clt during a 2 1/2 hour layover. Which, in your opinion, would be better? Or no difference? How long did the whole process of the interview, pics, fingerprints etc take?
Thanks

Hi Laurel,
The entire interview process was less than half an hour. I don’t think it makes a huge difference which city you choose. If you are doing a layover in Charlotte could be an issue if your flight is delayed but I am sure you can reschedule the interview.

We are in the process of applying for Global Entry and hope to have it all completed before our upcoming trip to Turkey. The paperwork is daunting if you have had lots of jobs and residences in the last 5 years as we have, but otherwise I don’t think it would be that bad! I don’t know why we have waited so long!

What about the line AFTER baggage claim? On my last international flight the immigration control/passport check wasn’t very long at all (5-10 min.) but the post baggage claim line was a nightmare (~45 min!!). I vaguely recall a separate line (with 0-2 people on it for the duration of my 45 minute wait). Is that also Global Entry??

Some airports do have a dedicated Global Entry lane post baggage claim but not all do. So although it is possible that’s the shorter lane you saw, we can’t say for sure without knowing the specific airport. It’s definitely worth checking your usual airport beforehand if a long wait post baggage claim is such an issue…yikes on that 45 minute wait!

The Global Entry expiration date is tied to your birthday. Global Entry expires 5 years after your next birthday following the date you are approved. You should also see the expiration date listed when you log into your Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) account (used to be called a GOES account).

I applied and received an interview time at Los Angeles International Airport. The officer who interviewed me was extremely rude and condescending. I felt he was verbally abusive, barking questions at me as if I had committed a crime. I was actually shaking when I left.

I completed my global entry interview
On 10-29-15 and have not heard anything since. My husband interviewed at the same time, received an email later that day and his card arrived 3 days later. My status in the GOES site still states interview scheduled. Any suggestions on what I should do next?

That is odd. Almost sounds GOES does not think you went to the interview. Maybe the TSA officer did not input your information or something. Did he take your photos or fingerprints? I would suggest calling the Global Entry Enrollment Centers to see what happened.

I, too, have had the same problem. My wife and I interviewed at the same time with different CBP officers. We both gave our fingerprints and had photos taken. My wife received her final approval email literally within 10 minutes of the end of the interview. It is now one week later and my GOES account still shows me with as conditionally approved and with an interview appointment – nothing regarding final approval.

I am having the same problem. Husband received immediately approval on line. And I am still showing conditional – interview was 5 days ago.

Jules
on September 20, 2016 at 10:58 am

I did my interview in JFK on 9/17, 3 days and still no approval email so I called the JFK enrollment center, told them my situation, and they said the finger prints took a while to get to them (?) and that they would fix it. I got my approval email a few minutes after.

Anne P
on October 4, 2016 at 11:39 pm

update on my situation…

I had my interview 9/14 and having no final approval in 48 hours, I sent a message via this website https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask. I received a response saying they would get back to me in 2-3 weeks.

I also left 2 messages at the Global Entry office at Logan Airport and they never called me back. On 10/4, I sent another message to https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask.

Today, 10/5, I got the final approval. So something was gummed up in their system.

Hi – Love my Global Entry. Have recently acquired a second passport for getting Visas when on business using my first passport. How do I register the second passport number? I have read it is not recommended that you travel wit two passports in your possession, but the Visa is attached to the passport that is not registered.

I cannot get past the third telephone #. Instructions say on one phone # is required. Also I am retired and it wants my work history which was more than five years ago. What if I have never been employed? Please answer as soon as you can as I would like to get this app. done. Many thanks for the info.

I am from Mexico currently living in the US under a E3D (dependent) visa. I am applying but there is no option box for E3D visa in the “proof of visa” section. My question is should I apply under E3 then? Even when the holder of the E3 is my partner and australians are not allowed to apply?

I was arrested in 2009, but I was admitted to the ARD program (a program in Pennsylvania fir first-time offenders of minor crimes). I was on the program for a year, I followed all the rules, and my record was successfully expunged. My lawyer and the arresting officer told me after the program is completed, my record is clear and it will “appear as it the crime never happened”. ARD is NOT a conviction. It is also called pre-trial diversion, so it never went to trial. I was told, that after successful completion and expungement, the only one who has access to this record is the District Attorney. On the application is asked if you were ever convicted, I was able to answer no, because as I said ARD is not a conviction. But as I found on the internet, one of the interview questions is “have you ever been arrested”. Hmm I’m not not sure if this “the crime never happened” would still apply in this case. Any suggestions?

Hey there…I had the same issue as you. ARD…1 year…etc. My lawyer had told me that if I was ever asked “Were you ARRESTED” I would have to answer yes, but “Were you ever CONVICTED” answer no, since ARD completion is not a conviction, and charges are typically dropped post-completion.

That being said, when I did the application, I answered “no” to conviction and received the preliminary approval and went to the interview (4/16/16). At the interview they did ask if I was arrested, to which I answered yes, and disclosed the incident and ARD (which occurred 15 years ago at this point). I was not immediately approved, but I wasn’t immediately denied either. The interviewer told me that because of the arrest, it had to be reviewed by a supervisor for approval. I’m still waiting as of today (5/3/16) for an outcome to the interview.

ARD is not a conviction in the sense of applying for employment with a private company — you can answer “No” to the question “Have you ever been convicted?” It IS a conviction in the eyes of the government. Saying “No” to the question “Have you ever been convicted?” in government context is committing the felony of lying to a government official.

Freddie
on May 27, 2016 at 12:12 pm

ARD is a pre-trial program whereby your case is diverted from criminal prosecution to probation, subject to various conditions which may include the following: attendance at a drug/alcohol treatment program, payment of a Common Pleas court administrative fee, payment of a municipal corporation administrative fee if your case was instituted by a police department for a borough or township, and court costs. When you satisfactorily complete the program, you are eligible to apply to the court for a dismissal of the charges. Although acceptance into the ARD program does not constitute a conviction, it will be construed as a conviction for purposes of computing your sentence, should you be convicted of a subsequent offense.

KB
on May 27, 2016 at 12:21 pm

I was still conditionally approved when I answered no to the conviction. My interview is on Monday but I will still answer yes to if I was ever arrested. I’ve done a lot of Google searches and could not find anywhere that ARD is a conviction to the eyes of the federal government. Where did you find this? I have paperwork showing my ARD program including that ARD is not a conviction, and showing I was never convicted, that I am bringing to the interview to show I am not lying about not being convicted. I verified with my lawyer that ARD is not a conviction, even to the federal government, which has been noted.

EW
on May 27, 2016 at 12:40 pm

I then recommend going with the lawyer’s advice.

Hoff1131
on May 27, 2016 at 3:08 pm

Regarding the ARD question. Mine was from 10 years ago… Just got back from my interview, and I was approved.

Officer asked if I had ever been arrested. I answered “yes, under suspicion of DUI, but was never formally charged, tried or convicted.” He didn’t bat an eye.

Received my official approval email 20 minutes later

Freddie
on May 27, 2016 at 12:27 pm

ARD is a pre-trial program whereby your case is diverted from criminal prosecution to probation, subject to various conditions which may include the following: attendance at a drug/alcohol treatment program, payment of a Common Pleas court administrative fee, payment of a municipal corporation administrative fee if your case was instituted by a police department for a borough or township, and court costs. When you satisfactorily complete the program, you are eligible to apply to the court for a dismissal of the charges. Although acceptance into the ARD program does not constitute a conviction, it will be construed as a conviction for purposes of computing your sentence, should you be convicted of a subsequent offense.

Question about the application…does anyone know how I should fill out the form if we bought a new house in 2014, but lived in an apartment for a few months in between first house and second house, while second house was renovated? We officially had occupancy as of the closing date, but we lived in an apartment, and then a hotel, until it was ready. Thoughts?? Thank you

Would like to do this but there is no interview location close to us. The explanation says you need to schedule the interview within 30 days of getting the confirmation email. Does that mean that the interview has to be done within 30 days – or you just need to get it scheduled within 30 days but it can take place later?

I have two options for the interview – will be in SFO in about a month but flight is just scheduled to arrive 1 1/2 hours before the office closes and would need to do it then. What are the chances of that specific time being available?

The other option would be to do it at O’Hare during a long layover before an overseas trip in August. If I do the interview on our way out of the US will I be able to use Global Entry when I return?

Thanks for the information and the advice from all the commentators. I went for my interview last night and it was a harmless and quick process. I don’t know if it was because of the time of day or what, but I was asked two questions;
Where do I work and Have I ever been arrested? 3 mins later and I was gone… received the approval email before I left the parking lot.

Lots of great info here. I’ve had TSA PreCheck for a few years and absolutely love it! Recently applied for Global Entry due to an upcoming trip abroad. I had my interview in Sanford, FL and like a few of the previous posters,was fingerprinted/photographed and told by the Customs agent that I was approved and would receive notification later that day. It has been more than a week and my account still has not been updated and I have not received an email. I’m wondering what’s creating the hold up. Has anyone else recently experienced this same issue?

Wondering if my friend stands a chance to get Global Entry. He was a conscientious objector in 1970 and convicted of a federal felony, paying fines and doing community service, no time inprisoned. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hi All,,
Just thought I would update since I last asked my question on May 21, 2016. My inquiry was regarding my friend who was charged with a felony in 1970 d/t being an conscientious objector. Based on the entry from “Rick” made on this forum on June 30th, 2016, I had my friend get a certified disposition document from the felony of 40 years ago. He did and he brought it to his interview. The agent, he was interviewed by, was impressed that he had this certified document with him, read them, felt that my friend had paid his dues and is an upstanding citizen based on what he had done with the his life since then. My friend received his Global Entry Card in the mail last week. Thank you to this forum and to Rick for his information. We all just have to be persistent, follow thru and keep asking questions. and

Wondering if anyone knows if a cell phone bill or my bank statements are an acceptable as proof of residence for the interview? I recently sold my condo in Illinois and am temporarily staying with family in Wisconsin till I can get another place in Minneapolis and I used their Wisconsin address on my application. I didn’t want to have to update my drivers license till I moved to MN. The nearest and quickest location for my interview is five hours away and I don’t want to go all the way out there to not be approved over not having a valid proof of address. I have a trip coming up in a few weeks I applied to this for and with the long waits at the security lines in the news recently I really want to have the TSA precheck!

I was able to get global entry and it does work great. During my interview the boarder agent said after an international trip is complete you must enter the dates and locations visited on the goes site. Find it curious that they wouldn’t already know this but I couldn’t find anywhere to enter this on the website.

I received conditional approval letter. Went to interview the officer told me do to multiple arrests there was incomplete information on disposition of cases. Told me to email certified disposition documents from 40 years ago to him and he would review with supervisor and make a decision.
This was on June 21
How long should this take and would I recieve a notification either ya or na

Thanks very much for the quick responses! I really appreciate it!! And at my interview, the agent asked for just my passport, not even my driver’s license or other address documentation. And she asked me no questions at all. Thanks again!

There is absolutely no need for a suit. Casual wear is more than sufficient. I wore shorts and a tank top and there were several others dressed similarly. It didn’t hinder my Global Entry approval. You decide what’s best for you. 🙂
Good luck

Both times I entered the US over the last three years I was expedited through customs despite not being enrolled in any special TSA programs. Both times my only interaction with a CBP agent was to ask “What was the purpose of your visit?” and both times, upon saying “vacation,” I got a “welcome home” and a stamp.

Nonetheless, I decided to apply for Global Entry (still pending) because what I really want is PreCheck but I figure the extra $15 for Global Entry will be worth it if it helps me avoid the customs line even once.

I’m British (living in London) and just applied for Global Entry. I’m visiting NYC in September. If I get pre-approval can I use the Global Kiosk desk prior to having the interview, and then have the interview after at JFK?

Hi I did apply to fast card, by fax since close to 4 month’s I didn’t have any news I try to call no one answer,but now I’m trying apply by online goes fast card but now the section for employment period date doesn’t go true the rest is fine so I’m putting year and month example 2016/07 to 2016/12 but still showing (fix the error)please I need help about that thanks.

Do you have to submit finger prints for the global entry process? Unfortunately, my finger prints cannot be read with the digital print machines or with the ink pads. This has created many problems with completing background checks for employment. We do not want to lose the non refundable if finger prints are utilized at airport security last cations. Any information would be appreciated.

Hi –
I just applied for global entry but my US passport expires in 2 months. If I apply for a new passport now (I expect for my soon-to-be-expired passport to be returned to me in a couple weeks), can I then bring my old and/or new passport to the global entry interview?
I’m wondering if I should wait until after I’m approved to get a new passport, or if I should make moves to get a new passport now, but I’m not sure if CBP will keep processing my global entry application if my passport number changes before my interview? CBP website seemed to have conflicting guidance about this.
I’d appreciate any responses from people who applied under similar circumstances. Many thanks!

Hi, thank you for the info! Question – For the interviews, you know if walk-ins are allowed? Let’s say for instance that I am scheduled for an appointment a while from now but I would like it sooner. Heard rumors that they might have space/time to review/interview you if you walk in, though of course following the appointment might be preferred by them. What are your thoughts?

You would have to apply separately but you can schedule your interviews at the same location and the same date around the same time and they might let you do the interview together. That is what we did and they let us both do the interview together.

Did they check your residency documents? I’m a long-term traveler that is going to be heading back to the US for a month before flying out again and figured I’d try and get GE while back in the states. I have a driver’s license, but the address is incorrect. I was planning to take in a utility bill from my parent’s home, which is where I’ll be staying while back in the US. Think this would work or are they typically strict on this sort of thing?

Need assistance in answering Question 10 Address Hx:
If you have lived at your current address for less than 5 years provide addresses going back 5 years (don’t include current address here).

As have lived at my current address for past 17 years, had left blank,
so when completed application it stated had to answer question.
Do not know how to answer, as have only lived at current address.
Please advise

Hi
I just complete my Global Entry application i was convicted in 1993 in California in 2015 i received a Full and unconditional Pardon from Governor of California i said yes in my application i was convicted what do you think i will get approved for Global Entry or not?